U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israel to eradicate Hamas from Gaza, claiming the Palestinian militant group has shown no willingness to negotiate in good faith. In a statement made before departing for a trip to Scotland, Trump said Hamas has not genuinely sought a ceasefire and that the group is ‘hunted down.’ He accused Hamas of using the remaining Israeli hostages as leverage, stressing the need for Israel to ‘clean it up’ and ‘get rid’ of the organization. Trump’s comments come as ceasefire talks have once again stalled, with Israel recalling its team from indirect negotiations in Qatar. The U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, echoed Trump’s stance by accusing Hamas of lacking a desire to reach a ceasefire and mentioned that the U.S. would consider alternative options to free the hostages and create a more than stable environment in Gaza.
Israeli officials have long insisted that their objective is to completely eliminate Hamas from the Palestinian enclave. However, The New York Times cited three officials as saying the withdrawal from negotiations did not signal a collapse of the talks. Hamas said it was ‘surprised’ by Witkoff’s remarks, claiming it had ‘submitted its final response’ to Israel’s terms. Both sides have blamed each other for the failure to reach a breakthrough since the two-month truce expired in March.
The United Nations and aid organizations have renewed calls for Israel to allow more food and essential supplies into Gaza, describing the situation as a ‘man-made’ famine in the densely populated enclave. Israel has said it is committed to increasing aid, but through channels that bypass Hamas, which it accuses of hoarding food. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis have prompted global attention, with many calling for a resolution to the crisis and an end to the violence. The U.S. administration’s stance on this issue has been a significant point of discussion, with Trump’s position emphasizing a hardline approach to Hamas and a focus on securing the release of hostages.